What are you top fire starting methods?

peripatew

peripatew

Joined
Jul 31, 2007
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I'm trying to decide what fire starting method to purchase. Right now I'm thinking about carrying a fire steel and a lighter to start, and several homemade firestraws.

But, it seems that there are lots of different options for the firesteels? Sizes and models. Like the Blastmatch and the rods that are attached to a magnesium bar for example.

Sorry if this has been over discussed. I search and I couldn't find an appropriate thread.

L
 
My favorite method is a firesteel,I carry a match case (that also has a small flint on it) full of petrolem treated cotton,if it's dry I find natural tender if not use the cotton.I think that paired with a bic lighter is enough in most cases.

As far as type of firesteel,light my fire brand steels are exellent,the army model is a better deal and will last a very long time,especialy if you can keep from playing with it.
The magnesium bars are good as well,though I'd rather carry a larger firesteel and seperate tender.
 
I usually bring a lighter and/or matches but start almost all my fires camping with a firesteel and cotton ball or two.
 
two words

Road Flare -- :cool::D

OK that's cheating - I do like the fire straws, used my last one a coupel weeks ago, need to make some more. Steels with the Mag are are pretty good
 
my favorite's are as follow's
#1 wooden strike anywere matches
#2 EP CAMP'S 1/2" FERRO ROD or light my fire Army mod.& PJ ball's
#3 Lewis International inc. Storm matches
#4 Nato life boat matches
#5 butane lighter (Bic) ECT.
#6 Road flare (Winter- fire/signal)
usually carry a combo made from above list almost always have a ferro rod on my person though, no matter what else i carry usually have a small supply of tinder like the spark lite tinder or the white webber BBQ starter's like used in the gerber strike force.WEBBERS the same as the strike force tinder only larger and cheaper:)
Mike
 
I would suggest getting a couple of the BSA Hot Spark fire starterss. They are cheap, small, and sit unobtrusively on a keychain or zipper pull. At $2.49, you can't go wrong. I also like these little lighters. They are strong and won't lose their fuel like a Zippo. Here is a review I wrote on these back when they were expensive. Now they're going for $5.00.

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The Doan magnesium block with firesteel attached has the added benefit of having tinder along for the ride.

DoanMagnesiumFirestarter2.jpg


I always carry AT LEAST two firestarters, and at least two different tinders. These range from PJCB firestraws and fatwood to steel wool and magnesium shavings.

I sometimes carry REI Storm Matches, vacuum sealed along with a striker. These are a bit fragile compared to other methods.
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These are safety pinned inside my hat.

Whatever you get, don't just put it away and "save it for a rainy day." Practice! Practice! Practice!

-- FLIX
 
naked said:
Flix, have you seen one of the new stainless steel peanut lighters? http://www.countycomm.com/sslight.htm

Looks like a little better design, but I didn't know if was as good/reliable as the original?
Click to expand...


naked,

That is a modification I suggested on these lighters before County.com even knew these lighters existed. I'm glad they have adopted it but I haven't actually seen one yet. (I'm still hurting from paying $20 each for a bunch of these!)

-- FLIX
 
I have a "fire can" that I carry in the PSK. It contains tinder, flint and steel, a mag block, and back-up matches. I always have a waterproof container with matches, and a mag block on string in my pocket however. My favorite is matches.

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I have these on me everytime I'm in the bush. Yes overkill, but something like sitting there cold, wet, and dark bothers me. :)
PJ cottonballs
Strike anywhere matches
Mag Block w\striker
LMF firesteel
and a lighter (I smoke)
 
The top right items in this pick of my pouch contents make up my fire kit.
P1020066.jpg


- 'Waterproofed' tampon
- firesteel
- fatwood
- Bic (wrapped in pink flag tape)

I use the firesteel primarily, either on the cotton or directly on the fatwood shavings. I also keep a Mg/firesteel bar in another location, currently on my hatchet sheath. Some waterproof matches are in another place in my pack.
 
For me I usually use matches or a mag/ferro bar. I have ferro rods as backups.
 
I'll have to say that the Light My Fire sweedish firesteel is my most used firestarter. It stays on my keychain and is used to start my BBQ, stove, and most other fires around the house on a regular basis.

When I venture into the woods and require fire I pick from the following sources... listed in order of preference not convenience.

1. Fire by friction - bowdrill, fireplow, hand drill.
2. Flint and steel - used with char cloth or tinder fungus. Often use back of knife as striker. (Mag. lens in kit)
3. Ferocerium rod - Firesteel
4. Butane Lighter - need I say more?


Rick
 
Spark-lite firestarting kit with tinder, BSA Hotspark, Bic lighter. Additional tinder includes birch bark and fatwood, plus for severe weather conditions, I carry Pitchwitch firestarter.
 
i've done it with fire steel and cotton, but usually i just use a lighter, much easier

on my first trip, i brought a propane blow torch. that was pretty effective. :D
 
Bic lighter, Ferro rod, PJed cotton balls. I carry one mil surplus Trioxane wafer for the "I need a fire RIGHT NOW". Think of it as a road flare substitute ;)

Not a fan of the magnesium bars. It takes a while to create a good pile of the shavings (which get blown around quite easily) and while the shavings burn very hot they also burn very quickly.
 
Shellac dipped strike anywheres matches are my favorite, but I usually reach for a ferro system (Doans mag bar or Sparklite) or lighter due to their lights per bulk and per mass ratios.

My EDC has matches, a mini Bic, cotton balls and neosporin packets in it (the bulk of neosporin is PJ), with spares of all the above, a sparklite, tinderquicks and a couple short firestraws in the mini-kit I keep in my car's first aid bag.

In terms of what I carry when I'm planning to be off the blacktop...

Mini Bics
Matches
Sparklite
Doans (yes, if I'm off the blacktop I carry both a Doans and the Sparklite- the Doans feels like it will last longer)

Birchbark
trick candles
cotton balls w/ pj (loose or in firestraws)
tea light candles
cotton balls, plain
jute twine
purell
Esbit tabs
denatured alcohol (stove fuel)
gel-form superglue (burns well, but it probably can't be good for you to breath in)
TP
laminated information sheets

I've been experimenting with a quantity of fatwood I recently received- I like it, but I'm not able to arrange a regular supply right now. I'm also going to harvest cattail heads this fall and try them, plain, waxed and shellaced. I've had mediocre luck with milkweed fluff.

I've had one or two times when I needed dry tinder and couldn't find any for love or money- I don't think you can tell from the list above. :P
 
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